Lake Erie Crushers

Craig Hertler drew a leadoff walk in the first and third innings and came around to score both times as the Crushers went on to beat the Wild Things 6-4. The Crushers have now won two in a row have reached an even 23-23 on the season. The loss was Washington’s seventh in eight games.

The Crushers quest to hurdle to the top of the standings continued on Tuesday night, and Craig Hertler supplied the gas in the 4-2 victory over the Washington Wild Things. The Crushers improved to 22-23 with the win, and moved ahead of Washington into fifth place in the East. Washington dropped to 22-24.

It’s hard to be upset with a 4-2 week, but the Crushers have to be disappointed that they lost their weekend series with the Aviators after starting the week by sweeping the ThunderBolts. The IBI's Kyle Ferrara recaps the week that was and more for the Lake Erie Crushers.

Lake Erie could not complete a late comeback Saturday night as errors costs the Crushers a 4-3 loss to Rockford. After winning four games in a row at home, the Crushers streak came to a halt, despite a promising chance to get the win.

On this July fourth, the Windy City ThunderBolts would like to declare their independence from Avon, Oh. The Crushers beat the Bolts 5-1, clinching the series sweep behind a third straight brilliant performance from the starting pitching. Dave Middendorf pitched eight innings, giving up just one run on four hits, striking out three. He earned the win to improve to 6-3 on the season. The Crushers are now 20-21.

Alex Kaminsky threw seven shutout innings against the ThunderBolts en route to a 3-0 Crushers win. Kaminsky improves to 3-4 on the season after allowing just three hits, one walk, and one hit batsman. The Crushers are now 19-21.

Tuesday night’s magic number was two. Two, as in the second complete game shutout Crushers starter Matt Rein has thrown in his last three starts. Two, as in just two hits allowed by the Crushers dominant southpaw. Two, as in this game was essentially over in the second inning, as the Crushers beat the ThunderBolts 11-0. Rein picked up his fourth win as the Crushers improved to 18-21.

Lake Erie put forth a disappointing effort Sunday in Traverse City, falling to the Beach Bums 8-0 on just two hits to be swept in the weekend series. After winning seven of their last nine games, the Crushers came in on an odd schedule after each game of last week's series against the Frontier Greys was rained out and pushed further into the night. Coming out flat in key situations this weekend, the Crushers were outscored 18-5 with the majority of the runs coming on Sunday.

Mickey Jannis was just getting ready to eat a sandwich before the game, when he was interrupted by a reporter looking to do a feature piece on him and his return to the Crushers. Without complaint or hesitation, he politely agreed and walked outside to chat. It was ironic that the Crushers’ opponent that day was the Normal CornBelters. It was a nice, normal day, a perfect time to interview the Crushers most normal pitcher.

A late comeback fell just short as Lake Erie scored a run in the eighth inning, but fell to Traverse City 3-2. Starter Dave Middendorf pitched a compete game with all three runs earned on five hits. Falling behind 2-0 in the first, Middendorf settled in but Lake Erie's offense could not get on track.

Traverse City picked up a 7-3 victory Friday night in the opening game of a weekend series with Lake Erie. The Crushers fell behind early on and struggled to climb the hill back on top. Starter Alex Kaminsky earned the loss after giving up four runs on five hits and four walks in four innings of work.

The second game of the series was completed on Thursday evening, after being suspended due to rain with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning on Wednesday night. The Crushers were trailing 2-1 when the game was called on Wednesday, but came back to win a bizarre, 10-inning affair 3-2 on a walk-off walk from Kevin Berard.

After several days of severe storms, Lake Erie and the Frontier Greys were finally able to finish Tuesday's game, losing 6-4, but game number two of the doubled header was another rainout. In front of one of the largest crowds seen at All Pro Freight Stadium this season at 3,140, rain put everyone on hold again Wednesday.

By sweeping the Normal CornBelters to start the week, and taking two of three from the Schuamberg Boomers, the Crushers recorded their best week long record of the season, going 5-1. They also won a season high five straight games, beginning with the final game against the Rockford Aviators on June 16th.

Max Casper is just a big kid playing the game he loves. Whether he's in the field, at the plate or in the dugout, the Crushers' second baseman always seems to be having the time of his life. He has since settled in as the Crushers leadoff hitter and second baseman, and the IBI's Matt Lofgren has the story.

After winning five in a row, Lake Erie dropped a tough one to Schaumburg Saturday night 11-4 to move to 15-17 on the season, but remain 5.5 games out of first place. Lake Erie got off to a hot start at the plate, taking a 2-run lead in the first compliments of a Daniel Bowman bases clearing double that scored Anderson Hidalgo and Andrew Davis.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!